Fouga Cyclone (oz7719)

About this Plan

Fouga Cyclone. Semi scale model for radio control, by Nick Ziroli. For .09 cu in power. Subject is the French all metal jet powered glider.

Quote: "Fouga Cyclone

This .09-powered scale model of a famous French jet-powered sailplane is ideal for flat-land soaring.

The French ''Fouga Cyclone' has always been in my mind as a model to build. Everything about it is as modern today as it was when it was manufactured in 1949. The prototype was all-metal with fabric-covered control surfaces. A true high-performance sailplane, its auxiliary power was a small turbojet engine. The 100-lb. engine had & maximum thrust of 200 Ibs. at 34,400 rpm. Being only 16in diameter and 32in long, it fit easily into a streamline pod behind the canopy. The V-tail placed the tailplanes out of the way of the exhaust.

A search through my files uncovered a 3-view and details of the full-size 'Cyclone'. The original had a wing span of 43 feet. I wanted a model large enough to give soaring performance with proportional equipment. The plan was laid out at a 2in = 1ft scale. This produced a wing span of 86ins, not too big and unwieldy, yet large enough to perform well. Plug-in wing panels take the problem out of transportation.

A powered glider was a must. I did not want to depend upon a tow-line or hi-start and suitable slopes do not exist on Long Island. The first thought was to place an engine in the jet-pod and raise it high enough for the prop to clear the fuselage. This would upset the clean lines of the Cyclone. So the opposite approach was taken. The engine and pod were kept intact. A clearance slot was then made behind the canopy for the propeller. This no doubt cuts down on efficiency. Since all we are interested in is getting altitude, I feel the improved appearance more than offsets this loss. Maximum propeller diameter is seven inches.

The engine is an old McCoy .09 diesel. Instant starting without the help of a booster battery never ceases to amaze those that are unfamiliar with diesels. This provides ample power. Plans show a Cox 09. An engine larger than an .09 seems unnecessary. A two-minute engine run gets the Cyclone up high enough to seek out thermals.

The original intention was to use the throttle servo to operate an engine cut-off and spoilers. A fuel cut-off would be actuated by moving the throttle control from high to about a quarter of the way to low. The rest of the travel would operate the spoilers, full low giving maximum spoiler extension. Unfortunately, construction proceeded too far, too fast to include them. The model shown does not have this feature, but it could be added to your plane.

Radio equipment used is the new Citizenship DP-4 system. The airborne system is, I think, as up to dale as any of the new digital systems. A compact receiver and plastic-cased servos with multiple outputs are featured. Servo response is fast. Since the spoilers were not installed, only two channels were used, one for rudder and one for elevator. There are a number of ways to get the control surface movements necessary with a V-tail that is ono up and one down, both up or down, or a combination of both. As can be seen from the pictures, I chose the easiest way out. The rudder servo, hooked up like ailerons' only reversed, is mounted on a slide. Elevator action is produced by moving the rudder servo forward or back making each control surface go up or down the same amount. The elevator servo is connected to it to give this movement."

Update 16/01/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

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